Launch your coaching website with confidence

Launching a website is a pivotal step in establishing your online presence and reaching your target audience. Whether you're starting a new coaching business or looking to elevate your current one, navigating the process can feel overwhelming. From branding to photography and finally website creation, each step plays a crucial role in crafting an impactful online presence. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the essential elements of launching your website, empowering you to attract your ideal clients with confidence.

1. Branding: Creating Your Visual Identity 

Your brand is more than just a logo; it's the essence of your business and how your customers perceive it. Establishing a strong visual identity sets the foundation for effective communication with your audience.

• Logo Design:  Your logo serves as a visual representation of your brand personality. Whether you choose to hire a graphic designer or create one yourself, ensure your logo encapsulates the essence of your brand.
• Brand Colours:  Selecting a cohesive colour palette reinforces brand recognition and evokes desired emotions. Identify primary and secondary colours that resonate with your brand personality and align with your target audience's preferences. 
• Fonts:  Fonts play a significant role in conveying your brand's tone and personality. Sans serif fonts are usually softer, warm and friendly and sans serif fonts are more simple, fun and bold.  
• Stock Images:  High-quality images enhance the visual appeal of your website and reinforce your brand message. Utilise stock image resources to find captivating visuals that align with your brand aesthetic. Unsplash and Pexels are great free websites - though I recommend iStock for more corporate people in an office style shots.

2. Photography: Telling Your Story Through Images

Professional branding photographs offer a glimpse into your personality and expertise, fostering connections with potential clients. 

• Outfits and Props: Select outfits and props that authentically represent your brand while making you feel confident and comfortable. Consider how these elements align with your brand vision and aesthetic. Eg cushions or notepads that match your brand colours, outfits that you feel amazing in, represent what you’d truly wear and also complement your brand colours. 
• Photographer Selection: Choose a photographer who understands or can help you with your vision. Research and collaborate with professionals whose style resonates with your brand identity. 
• Photoshoot Planning:  Plan multiple scenes and locations for your photoshoot to capture a diverse range of images that showcase different aspects of your brand and services. Will you want a friend to pose as a client? Will you want to be in a cafe because it shows where you often work? Do you want to look like you’re taking a zoom call? More relaxed on a sofa vibe? Plain headshots?

3. Website Creation: Building Your Online Presence

Your website serves as your online storefront, showcasing your brand identity and offerings to potential clients. From domain registration to content creation, each step is essential in bringing your website to life. 

• Domain Name and Email Address:  Secure a custom domain name for your business to establish credibility and professionalism. Additionally, create a personalised email address to reinforce brand consistency. 
• Social Media Integration:   Set up social media accounts aligned with your business name to expand your online presence and engage with your audience across various platforms. 
• Website Builder Selection: Choose a website builder that aligns with your technical skills and design preferences. Whether you opt for a DIY approach or hire a professional designer, select a platform that enables you to create a visually stunning and user-friendly website. Some popular platforms… Squarespace (my preferred platform because it’s easy to use for my clients), Wix, Showit, WordPress (I find this one to be truly tricky to use). 
• Hosting and Content Planning:  Select a reliable web hosting provider to ensure seamless performance and accessibility for your website visitors. Plan your website content and structure to convey your brand message effectively and engage your audience. Websites like Squarespace have the hosting aspect built in their platform - WordPress you need to find hosting.  
• Copywriting and Connection:  Craft compelling copy that highlights your expertise, benefits, and unique selling propositions. Ensure consistency in your brand voice across all website content to establish trust and connection with your audience. And I always think, try and write your copy like you would say it, let’s be more human sounding please :)

4. Bringing Your Vision to Life 

Launching your website is a transformative journey that empowers you to share your unique voice and offerings with the world. By focusing on branding, photography, and website creation, you can create a compelling online presence that attracts your ideal clients and fosters meaningful connections. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your passion, expertise, and personality, and watch your business thrive in the digital landscape. If you found this guide helpful, don't hesitate to share it with fellow coaches embarking on their website journey. So excited for you and your website journey!

About Author:  With over 15 years of design expertise, Liz Ellery specialises in creating authentic visual brands & websites for entrepreneurs, mainly in the coaching and personal development space. Her intuitive design approach ensures that each brand reflects the energy and essence of her clients, helping them to feel confident and unstoppable in the pursuit of their business goals.

Did you miss Liz's Coaching Conversations?

If so, you can watch the replay of Liz and our Head of Training, Sharon Lawton, discussing "Building a Coaching Website That Gets You Noticed" on The Coaching Academy's YouTube Channel. 

If you would like to find out more about creating an impactful website for your business using simple easy to use beautifully designed templates specifically for coaches, please visit Liz Ellery's website here.

(NB: This page contains affiliate links, if you purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)